August 8, 2018
Review by Sean Tanner
DYLAN THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN AGES
Prior to this evenings show, I once again reflected on the previous Australian
shows I had seen through the years. Hopefully my rambling allows me to put
tonight's performance in extra context.
1992 Perth Entertainment Centre
One of the most amazing performances I've seen. Did Dylan really play the
Hendrix song "Dolly Dagger!@ This was my first Dylan show and made a
lasting impression. He was captivating and when it was just him and his guitar
I was transported to the intimacy of those early club shows in the 1960s.
1998 Australian Tour Melbourne x2, Sydney x 2 + Wollongong
This was Dylan at his best. Each show was unique but the first Sydney show
was the best concert I've been to as I secured front row centre stage a few
feet from my idol. Listening to the band through the stage speakers/stacks
instead of the house PA was one of the greatest aural experiences of my
life. This was a great tour and well worth the expense of seeing and
travelling to 5 shows!
2001 Perth Entertainment Centre POSTING ON EXPECTING RAIN
"All in All, a great start to the Oz tour especially as there was no front
of stage standing allowed. Highlights: MR TAMBOURINE MAN, JUST LIKE A
WOMAN, STANDING IN THE DOORWAY,WICKED MESSENGER,
ROLLING STONE and HIGHWAY 61".
2003 Claremont
The 2003 Australian Tour featured Bill Burnette on guitar and a consistent
set list which seemed to be structured to suit him (he seem to struggle
badly). Bob himself was on piano and overall it was disappointing even
though the venue meant I could get nice and close (I did get to see Ray
Charles perform on that day so that was the memory that stayed with me).
2007 Burswood Dome, Perth POSTING ON EXPECTING RAIN
"Dylan has once more my friends taken me to another level. The depth and
the complexity of the performance by his band and himself was something I
cant recall witnessing before. But it is interesting that this was more
evident when he went on keyboards".
2011 Fremantle Blues & Roots Festival POSTING ON EXPECTING RAIN
"Sorry Guys, but it was a disappointment. I had marvelled at the
complexity, depth and beauty of the 2007 show but the Fremantle 2011
contained few standouts and " I hope that this was just an off night but
as said just found this show as being the most disappointing Dylan show
I've been too".
2014 - Riverside Theatre Perth Convention Centre
This was the best Dylan performance I've seen period, matching that special
night in Sydney 2008 - the band is just so tight and imaginative
I've not really enjoyed Dylan being solely on keyboards during past tours
but this time the experience was different. What was different? I think
its because I heard a change in his keyboard playing, those lovely guitar
runs that he did during the tours of the 90 seem to be now replicated on
keyboard and how I love it!
Bobs voice is seemed to be back to the strength it showed during 98 and
01 Australian tours in particular.
So how does Bob visited Perth in 2018 stack?
Jaw dropping to be honest. Is there any other artist that can just keep
being so inventive and imaginative- even discounting he is 77 years of age?
Although the set was the same as Singapore it just sounded so fresh - I can
say listening to You Tube clips doesn't do justice to the quality of this
current set in terms of playing, arrangement, texture and delivery.
Bobs voice sounded so fresh (best I've heard him to be honest!) and I love
his keyboard playing. He literally sings and plays over the band to great
effect with an occasional bum note which merely adds to the experience.
His piano licks remind me of his guitar doodling's in the late 90s/early 00's sets.
There is so much freshness in this set - this tour we have lost the crooning
numbers but there is the odd throwback to know its still there - Soon After
Midnight comes to mind. The arrangement although faithful to the studio
release seemed to have extra texture more fitting to a studio take than you
would expect at a live show.
What were the standouts - well I love the current arrangement of It Ain't
Me Babe and the very heartfelt lament that is Don't think Twice. Also up
there is Sun Studio sound on Duquesne Whistle (this had a big band swing
sound hat reminded me of benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey etc), Thunder
in the Mountain and a radical re working of Honest With Me (took me at
least 20 secs to pick the song so radical did it sound).
Major standout is the Peter Gun inspired reworking of Gotta Serve Somebody
a fitting nod to the Trouble No More Box Set that was a release I've yearned
for years (Love that Gospel era).
But wait there's more - Love Sick is taken to another level with an intensity
that King Crimson would be proud of (Bet im only person who will think that
but these are my ears!)
And the encore - one of my fave songs Ballad of a Thin Man - for me its
the song with Like a Rolling Stone that sums up that 1965-66 period.
Down side? - To the bloke behind me who seriously said after To Make You
Feel My Love - Wow he just covered Adele! Grrrrrrrrrrr and a dirty look cast
by me over my shoulder.
To the rest of Australia, enjoy Bob and the Band they are sounding amazing.
Don't You Miss it!
Sean Tanner
Perth, Australia
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